Hi! I'm Paula. I'm a feminist, activist, writer and book reviewer who swapped city life for the quietness of Co. Kerry. I was once a regular runner until my health got in the way. I hope to get back to it someday.

What I’m Reading

Sugar and Snails by Anne Goodwin | Book Review

When Anne Goodwin sent me the blurb of her novel, Sugar and Snails, and asked if I would be interested in reviewing it I was intrigued. It deals with issues that are important to me; mental health and LGBTQ* experiences. I enjoyed Sugar and Snails so much I’m pleased to take part in the blog tour to celebrate the first anniversary of its release.

A trip to Cairo changed Diana Dodsworth’s life when she was fifteen. A change that has resulted in Diana keeping people at a distance ever since. This was working until she met Simon Jenkins. He’s heading to Cairo soon and wants Diana to fly out for a visit. Diana doesn’t want to return to Cairo, but she can’t tell Simon the reason why.

The good

It’s difficult to talk about this novel fully without giving too much away. Although set in the present, the inclusion of flashbacks to Diana’s adolescence and the fateful trip to Cairo give the reader a broader picture of Diana. Even if they don’t yet fully understand what happened. Telling the story this way allows the reader to pick up on clues before the big reveal. The big reveal isn’t the end of the story. It is very much the beginning of a new chapter in Diana’s life.

Anne Goodwin’s writing is clever, a couple of times I thought I had things figured out but was proven wrong. When the penny did drop I was impressed with the layers Goodwin wrapped the plot in. It’s possible that different readers will guess what’s going on at different points throughout the novel. Some may not figure it out for themselves. Either way, Sugar and Snails is a novel that while slow moving grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

Conclusion

To say Sugar and Snails is a coming-of-age story doesn’t quite do it justice, but it’s the closest comparison I can think of. Anne Goodwin writes about LGBTQ* experiences and mental health with great empathy and insight and Diana Dodsworth is a character that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.